What is a covenant??? A covenant is a contract between 2 or more people. Marriage is a great example. My husband and I are in covenant, and there are certain responsibilities, rights, and expectations that come along with that. The covenant is between him and me and no one else. No one else has the same responsibilities towards me or has the right to expect the same things from me because my covenant is not with them. A covenant only involves the people who enter into it. Many believers are familiar with the covenants of scripture - blood covenants being the most prominent. In Genesis 15, YHVH made a covenant with Abraham by passing between the animal parts. In the tabernacle, animal blood sacrifices kept the covenant between YHVH and the children of Israel.
In Hebrews 7 and 8, Paul describes for us the how and why of the Old Covenant being done away with. He clearly states that the New Covenant has taken its place! But when we read these chapters and take his statements in context, we see where we have been so wrong for so long...
Paul makes it clear that the old priestly system and sacrificial system have been replaced by our High Priest, Yeshua (Jesus Christ). He makes the distinctions between blood sacrifices that had to be repeated yearly and the One sacrifice that did the job once and for all; between priests that first had to atone for their own sins and the High Priest who is sinless and perfect; between the earthly sanctuary (a mere copy and shadow of the heavenly things) and the heavenly sanctuary in which Yeshua currently intercedes for us. He makes it clear that the old is obsolete.
However, the major confusion with this teaching is that, somehow, God's law has been done away with as well. This is error, and the body of Christ needs to be aware of the truth!
What is law? Is it covenant?? No! Law applies to everyone within its jurisdiction - no agreement or contract is necessary. You are ruled by law because of where you live, and laws differ from place to place. Scripture defines sin as the breaking of God's law.
Has Paul told us that YHVH's law was replaced by Christ???? No! But that is what is commonly taught today.
The word "law" in the English is used in these chapters quite frequently. However, according to Strong's Concordance (G3551) the word means "regulation" when used generically and "THE Law" (of God) when used specifically. In order to know which meaning is intended, we would have to look at the original text and see the original usage. We have to remember, our Bibles were translated into, not written in, English. Languages do not translate seamlessly, and every language uses words and grammar in different ways. The presence of the word "the" in the English translation is simply due to the structure of the English language, not the original intended meaning of "law." Because of this, we cannot be sure of the original intent for the purpose of this writing. However, it has to be understood that either meaning is possible.
So, how does that help us? We still have context! When we read the entirety of chapters 7 and 8 of Hebrews, we hear Paul's words. We know from this that he is discussing the old priestly system vs. the new priestly system. Never does he discuss a behavior or expectation of a group of people, only covenant agreement and Levitical tabernacle protocol. The law in the sense of the commandments and precepts of YHVH is not part of the explanation at all! In order to come away with the understanding that God's law is now obsolete, we have to place meaning into the text that isn't there.
When we understand this, we understand that scripture is not contradictory when it tells us that "we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says 'I know Him' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar." (1 John 2:3-4)
Furthermore, we are told to "WALK JUST AS HE WALKED". (1 John 2:6) We are to live as He lived and be Christ-like. Every believer knows this. If He kept God's law (and taught it), why don't we??? If He kept the biblical feasts and sabbaths, why don't we? How can we say that we are walking as He walked???
One last point... In Yeshua's own words, he said that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations.." (Luke 24:47) If there is no law, there is no sin to repent of or remit. If He were doing away with law, He would know that and would have given a different command to his disciples. It is our sins which are remitted, not the law. It is the difference between me having a speeding ticket forgiven or the speed limit laws being revoked so as to erase any possibility of guilt. My forgiveness does not erase law, and it does not grant me permission to live lawlessly.
The Old Covenant which is done away with is NOT the law! Throughout the New Testament, you will read that believers are exhorted to holiness and keeping law, not breaking it or throwing it away. Under this New Covenant, incidentally, Paul (in Hebrews 8) quotes from the Old Testament that the law will be written on our hearts, not done away with.
Throughout scripture you will also find that the lawless are rejected by YHVH, they are not His people. He values obedience and, yes, grace and mercy. You are forgiven of your sins, but you are not excused from His law.
Remember, covenant applies to willing participants, law applies to jurisdiction. Our entering into the New Covenant brings us into YHVH's Kingdom. YHVH's Kingdom is governed by His law. Being disobedient is being sinful, and..
"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." (Hebrews 10:26-27)
For more on this, please see our article, "Messianic Misconceptions #3: Legalism!"
